About This Listing

Our home is one of the top-rated in Costa Rica. Guests enjoy splendid views and privacy yet are close to many attractions and amenities. Experience an "authentic" Tico experience in a picturesque and friendly village just 7 km from Arenal Volcano.

Our 'Castle in The Clouds' is just seven km from Volcano Arenal, perched 700m above sea-level overlooking the volcano, rainforest, pastures and Lake Arenal. Wake to the sound of howler monkeys, toucans and parrots and enjoy your first cup of locally-grown coffee on our enormous 25 sq. m. covered deck. At night, watch the lava flows or count the stars overhead. Our home features a splash pool to cool off after a busy day of eco-adventuring. You can walk to many attractions in the village, including several quaint local restaurants. The home features casual dining indoor or out, hot water throughout, and stunning views from every room. It is completely equipped with a full-sized fridge with ice-maker, gas stove, microwave and blender and includes twice-weekly cleaning service (more often optional on request). An optional personal laundry service is also available. Active or passive, this is the perfect home base for your Arenal vacation!

In the last few months, we've been busy landscaping our property. We now feature a paved driveway, a separate covered Gazebo (perfect for al fresco dining) and the yard has been completely enclosed with a custom-made 5' stone and wrought-iron fence. You'll enjoy our garden paradise yard featuring a variety of local and tropical plants designed to maximize your Costa Rica experience.

Now-Book Local Tours and Attractions: Tomas and Hannah, owners of La Gavilana ((website hidden)), our on-site hosts can now book many local tours and attractions for you on your arrival, saving you the hassle of running around. From zip-line tours, hot springs, spas and volcano hikes to a horseback ride to a real eco-farm or a two day hike through pristine rainforest, you can be as busy or as relaxed as you like, but you'll never run out of things to do in the area. Just ask Tomas when you arrive and he'll be happy to make recommendations and reservations for you.

Guest Access

Guests enjoy full use of the house, pool and gardens. Laundry service is available for a small extra charge. The kitchen is fully equipped including full stove and microwave, all the pots, pans and utensils, coffee maker and blender. All linens are included.

Interaction with Guests

We have property hosts, Hannah and Tomas, located just down the street. They will welcome you and answer any questions but give you complete privacy.

The Neighborhood

El Castillo is an authentic Tico village. The horses and cattle will pass your door each day. The locals are very friendly and will happily stop and chat. There are a couple of small groceries in the village and several restaurants, but walk up the mountain road a bit and you will be in the jungle with spectacular views in all directions.

Getting around

There is no transit in the village. You will need to rent a 4x4 for travel in Costa Rica unless you are visiting resorts. All the best and most beautiful places are well off the beaten path. Driving is safe and convenient and well worth it.

No smoking allowed inside the house. $200 damage deposit is refunded at the end of your stay assuming everything is in order. A 4 wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended as the roads are steep and rough.

33 Reviews

We had a wonderful 6 day stay at El Castillo en las Nubes. Tomas and Hanna were extrememly helpfulThe house is situated in the small village of El Castillo, at the top of a very rough and gutted road and we were glad to have rented a 4x4. We loved the locals, the cows that walked past to graze up the hill every morning, and the horses in the field below, who often visited our front gate. The yard and gardens are absolutely gorgeous and the vista below is stunning.

The interior of the house is quite comfortable, well designed and clean. On the first floor, kitchen is well appointed and easy to work. The bedrooms and en suite bathrooms on the second floor were well designed and comfortable, and the second floor porch affords an amazing view of the gardens and the volcano.

It really helped that directions were given both from San Jose airport and Liberia airport, as the house is not that easy to find on its own. We had a GPS so that was really helpful also. The roads off of the main road is rough terrain and it helps to have a 4x4. It is well worth it because once you arrive, it is beautiful.

The view was amazing, and as pictured, although we couldn't really see the volcano because of the clouds. Had coffee every morning on the lawn chairs by the pool, with the amazing view.

It was a great stay overall and Tomas was very helpful with everything that we required. He even cleaned the pool so we could use it the following day.

Tomas and Hannah are always eager to help. Great house! We were 5 people, it would be great if the air bed offered by the local host wasnt broken, good thing there are lots of couches in the house. Great views from the house.

This home is beautiful and exactly as pictured and described. Before our trip Joe sent a few documents that included directions from the airport and extensive information about things to do in the area. Both we're incredibly helpful. We needed far more than the three nights to really explore everything that the area had to offer. Hopefully we'll be able to return in the near future.

A few things to be aware of (all positive in my opinion and also pretty clear from the home's description):
The house is a good 30-40 minutes from the main highway and some of the main attractions (hot springs included). And the dirt road off of the main highway is rough, especially the last stretch through the small town of El Castillo. The house sits up on a hill above the town. As far as we could tell, it was the highest building on the hill. We could not imagine driving the dirt road up to the house without a 4wd vehicle. Being slightly less accessible than some of the resorts in the area was part of the appeal. It was wonderful and quiet - a perfect place to go at night after our adventures during the day. In the mornings we sat outside enjoying our coffee and the amazing views. It was paradise.

Tomas and Hannah were also wonderful, helpful hosts. We just wish we would have remembered to order some cookies and bread from their shop for our drive after checking out.

If you are looking for an escape without sacrificing the comforts of a nice clean home, this place is perfect.

John's house was a mountain hideaway with a wonderful view of the volcano and lake Arenal. With plenty of areas to watch the sun rise over the mountains (sit in the covered area just outside the bedrooms to listen the birds sing their morning sun).

The house was perfect for a family of four (in our case four adults) or could have been just as great for 2 couples sharing. One detail that did not go unnoticed is that the house was well equipped with all of the basics in the kitchen and bedrooms.

Tomas and Hannah, the property managers were very welcoming and provided some great tips of activities in the area.

Two words: STAY HERE. Great experience right from the start -- excellent communication during booking and great instructions leading up to our arrival. We were travelling with our six-month old and were quite comfortable with the space (no big baby dangers! And we just brought a playpen for sleeping).

You'd be hard-pressed to get a better view of Arenal in the area (it's simply breathtaking) and it was nice to be a bit distanced from the touristy La Fortuna. Great, great restaurants in El Castillo, too!

The house was extremely comfortable, right down to the pillows (4 per bed!) and ample seating. It's even nicer that the upstairs seating area has been enclosed with windows -- what an amazing place to enjoy the morning coffee. Kitchen was well-equipped and local hosts were friendly and accessible.

El Castillo en las Nubes was one of the most beautiful, relaxing stays we've ever enjoyed.

First, the house itself is beautifully appointed and very comfortable. The beds seem new, the bathrooms are roomy, and the kitchen is very easy to work within. Our favorite room was the second floor porch, from which we watched movies, played cards, and enjoyed the clouds rolling in and out. What a great space.

Second, the yard is amazing. The pool is small but highly adequate. The views are stunning (we took hundreds of pictures of the lake and the volcano!). The gazebo is incredibly pleasant and functional. We felt like we were in our own private jungle.

Third, the setting is perfect. The villagers are incredibly friendly. The town has everything you need for basic living. There are so many activities within an easy drive. El Castillo is a perfect base from which to plan your Fortuna excursions.

The house is easy to get to, although the last 10 miles are pretty rough, and the last two miles probably demands a 4x4. Everything else is turnkey.